CJJ Training Weblog

I enjoy exploring the dual nature of things*, and as such have recognized a pattern over the years with regards to students and their training goals.
Pattern A: Student immerses him/herself with regular training. They love being on the mat, watching YouTube videos, attending seminars, and chatting with friends and family about their [...]

Today Grandmaster Helio Gracie passed away at the age of 95. His son, Royce Gracie, quickly boarded a plane to be with family Rio de Janeiro.
I would like for us to celebrate and remember Grandmaster Helio Gracie for living a life full of passion, and providing us all with the opportunity to learn and [...]

and so are all the fitness fads and gimmicks
The new year season abounds with sale items that pray upon our resolution sentiment – and the primary sale item is exercise equipment. Just look through the store adds (Kohls, Sports Authority, Dicks Sporting Goods, Sears, Target, Walmart) and “great deals” are being offered on machines, [...]

By Iman Achhal
People often ask me if it’s scary to get in the ring. When I tell them that I’m not afraid, I’m not always sure that they believe me. How could I find joy in putting myself in front of another person who is going to do her best to hurt me? How could [...]

With the overwhelming success of both Capital Jiu-Jitsu staff and students in competitive events, more and more members are approaching me with their own desire to fight. If you are considering competing in the cage, ring or on the mat, then the following article is for you.
A Fighter’s Words To Live By:
-Conditioning is Confidence
-Eat [...]

I cannot tell you how often friends, students and fans approach me and ask me what I do to stay in such good shape. It is often a very frustrating experience for me. Why? Because when I tell them my honest answer, they want a DIFFERENT answer.
Here is my honest answer [...]

Question: What do these world renowned martial artists all have in common?
-Rickson Gracie
-Royler Gracie
[...]

Muay Thai is one of the most devastating striking art’s to have ever been developed. Indigenous to Thailand and South East Asia, Muay Thai incorporates every limb of the human body to serve as a weapon for both offense and defense. Training Muay Thai teaches a person to effectively use their hand’s, knee’s, feet, and [...]

When your workout exceeds your recovery capacity, you have overtrained. Planned overtraining for tournaments or events does boost your output for a short period of time, but you cannot sustain those output levels. The body is not a machine, it needs well planned rest.
Some symptoms of overtraining:
-increased incidence of injuries
-persistent muscle soreness
-persistent fatigue
-elevated resting heart [...]

Summertime is right around the corner and I can hardly wait.  I love the summer because my family goes to the beach in Corolla, North Carolina and rents a huge ocean front beach house. Other members of our family meet with us from VA beach and we catch up on all the crazy things going [...]